2008 Trainfest report part 2...

[lashedup]

Show report updated with photos now. Next time I'll take the point and shoot so the depth of field issues aren't so bad. Sorry in advance if I missed anyone as it was a little busy. Nice to meet Chuck of Feather River fame - great guy!

KATO - Maxi IV in CN scheme (although none on display) and re-run of Amtrak P42 starter set. They also had the newest run of PA/PB Southern Pacific units on display with the Daylight and Broadway Limited trains running. While no official announcements have been made yet, Kato is saying the next big train will be a western line - I asked if it was El Capitan and they said that would be a good one and smiled. So that's my bet for the next passenger train set. After that they said they will most likely move north to Canada for the next passenger set. SD70ACE's are coming along and should be on time 1st quarter of 2009.


Fox Valley - Rib-side 40' boxcars. These looked fantastic with loads of great detail including etched walkways, individual grabs and more. Three different paint schemes will be available.










Bluford - Had autoparts cars on display and said they are getting closer to shipping them.




ConCor - had n-scale AeroTrain running on display (however they wouldn't stop running it to get any decent photos). Looked good with nice detail. They also had unpainted sample of the UP M-10,000 which also had very nice detail.






Atlas - Atlas had their new Thrall gondola on display, 11,000 gallon tank car and Evans 53' double-plug door boxcar with patch paint scheme (as well as others):








SoundTraxx - Tsunami is now available with diesel sounds. The Tsunami Micro version should be available in 3-4 weeks.




Digitrax - had new two-way radio version of their wireless DT402 (I think that was the number on it). Looks identical to the DT400, but with added capabilities. They will have an upgrade program for existing DT400 and UT4R throttle owners where you can send your unit in and get it upgraded. Wireless distance is hugely improved and the upgrade will also include Functions bumped out to 24 or 28 (not sure which). The photos below are of the beta units...






Intermountain -  Had samples of their new passenger cars with built in lighting. Really nice heft and detail, but the cars sit *way* too high on their trucks. Final production versions might be better. They also had a sample of the new ATSF Rebuilt Caboose.








Walthers - new run of 2-8-8-2 LifeLike units were on display, but that's about it for anything "new" in n-scale.


Athearn - had samples of their n-scale Flxible bus on display. I asked if we'll ever see the UP FEF 4-8-4 in n-scale and they said they would like to do it next, but are waiting for things to stabilize in China a bit. They did say the Challenger and Big Boy in n-scale was a big success and they want to continue to offer more n-scale product that mirrors some of the larger HO announcements they make. New Mack B and R trucks as well as another Ford C firetruck variation:








PCM - nothing in n-scale was on display. Still sticking with early next year for new models.

Deluxe Innovations had Maxi IV samples on display as well as a few of their recent releases.

Trainworx had samples of their 86' auto parts cars on display:






Wheels of Time - new Transit Motor Coach bus samples on display with very nice detail:






Microtrains - had latest releases on display and a number of nice Z-scale pieces.

Bachmann - 44 toners were on display along with "retooled" UP DDA40X:






Red Caboose - new 73' bulkhead flat:



Sorry if I missed anything

[ljudice]

Thanks for the early report! Looking forward to more details!!!

I wish I had a dime for every time I've heard about Kato smiling when you suggest a possible model to them, though!!!!   ;D

[Puddington]

Wow; Kato "knows" we exist in Canada ? Who'd have thunk it ? If they are looking at a Canadian consist I'd have to believe it would be the Canadian Pacific "Canadian" ( ok; could be the Dominion but that's the same thing)..... I'll believe it when I see it..... (wringing hands together in anticipation)

[wm3798]

Wow; Kato "knows" we exist in Canada ? Who'd have thunk it ? If they are looking at a Canadian consist I'd have to believe it would be the Canadian Pacific "Canadian" ( ok; could be the Dominion but that's the same thing)..... I'll believe it when I see it..... (wringing hands together in anticipation)

They knew you were almost done scratch/bashing your CP consist... so naturally they will release theirs as soon as your paint dries!
 ;D

L

[Sokramiketes]

This thread is useless without pictures...   :'(

[cv_acr]

If Kato did move up north of the border I'd think the post-55 stainless steel version of the Canadian would be the priority, as that set still runs today. There's three schemes it can be done in: CP maroon (1955-1969), CP Rail "Action Red" (1969-1979) and VIA Rail blue (1979-present).

So Puddington's efforts on his smoothside and heavyweight cars shouldn't be affected.

Now we just need that train done in HO - my club needs a 1975 version of the CP Rail Canadian.

[lashedup]

This thread is useless without pictures...   :'(

Happy now?

[POVC]

Anybody else notice that comment at the bottom of the Red Caboose sign for the 73' bulkhead flat?

"Both N & HO will have body mounted couplers"

Tim

[sundowner]

Anybody else notice that comment at the bottom of the Red Caboose sign for the 73' bulkhead flat?

"Both N & HO will have body mounted couplers"

Tim

Yep and four different cars also. Very cool.

[ljudice]

Wow...   

Those flatcars are long awaited...  Are the TTX finger rack cars based on this car as well?

We knew about the gondola, but good to see it's "coming soon"...

Lots of possibilities for transporting steel pipes, plates, telephone poles!!

The 44tonner looks the best I've seen it so far and the DD40 looks pretty good in these photos well - the tooling looks crisper.

All in all, not bad!

[Puddington]

Thanks for the pic's..... the passenger cars look nice; the 44 tonner has my wallet a flutter and don't get me started on buses....

[Puddington]

If Kato did move up north of the border I'd think the post-55 stainless steel version of the Canadian would be the priority, as that set still runs today. There's three schemes it can be done in: CP maroon (1955-1969), CP Rail "Action Red" (1969-1979) and VIA Rail blue (1979-present).

So Puddington's efforts on his smoothside and heavyweight cars shouldn't be affected.

Now we just need that train done in HO - my club needs a 1975 version of the CP Rail Canadian.

From your lips to their ears Chris............

[lock4244]

If Kato did move up north of the border I'd think the post-55 stainless steel version of the Canadian would be the priority, as that set still runs today. There's three schemes it can be done in: CP maroon (1955-1969), CP Rail "Action Red" (1969-1979) and VIA Rail blue (1979-present).

Four if you count those corrupt little Canadian Flags plastered all over everything VIA operates.

[lock4244]

The FVM MILW ribsides look great. Now I can finally get my retaining wall underway 

It even has a prototype 
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=41649

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks for the photos Lashedup.

With body mounts, those RC flats have great potential!  Their centerbeams are nice, but ride high (and are becoming scarce).

And, while not my era, the Santa Fe pig from Athearn looks great.  If they put as much energy into rolling stock as they do into trucks, I'd be even happier.